Live: Socceroos v UAE in World Cup qualifier

UAE coach Mahdi Ali, who has been involved with the country's football federation for 13 years, resigned in the post match press conference. Jumping before he was pushed, as the UAE has little chance of qualifying for World Cup now..

Mat Leckie was awarded the man of the match honours, and the Ingoldstadt player was not just delighted to have got on the scoresheet for the second game in a row, but also to have learned more about playing in an unfamiliar wing back role.

"Everyone knew that today was a must win....once we got the second goal it set up the game. We were confident in what we were doing," he said in a Fox Sports interview.

Australia's strong home record against Asian teams is a real positive for Ange Postecoglou's team, and they will need to take six points from matches against Saudi Arabia and Thailand in their final two home games to make qualification for Russia easier. Depending on the other results, the Socceroos might also need to get a point in Tokyo in their away game against Japan.

But that is all to come. Right now nerves have been settled and confidence rebuilt with this win.

Now Postecoglou and his players have to work on refining their tactical set up following the switch to a three at the back system.

Sometimes _ in fact, quite often _ its all about the result.

Make no mistake, this was a high pressure game for Australia. Anything less than a win might have made things very sticky on the road to Russia 2018.

Winning pretty is nice, but winning any way you can is what is more important, and the Socceroos managed to do so, beating the UAE 2-0. In truth the UAE never really threatened much and Australia was good enough to absorb its pressure and ultimately impose itself on the game to get the win they needed.

Coach Ange Postecoglou stuck with the new three at the back system that he introduced for the draw with Iraq, and the team looked more cohesive second time out.

James Troisi, restored to the line up after a long absence, was excellent and created the two goals for Jackson Irvine and Mat Leckie with pinpoint corners, while Irvine showed he belonged at this level with a goal and a dynamic performance.

"It was a challenging ten days for us but we know at home we can be a dominant team and play our football," Postecoglou told Fox Sports after the game.

"I am pleased for Lecks, that's a couple of goals he has got now. Jackson was outstanding and Jimmy Troisi was fantastic."

All over in Sydney. Australia 2-0 UAE. Goals in the first half from Jackson Irvine, in the second from Mat Leckie _ both with headers from James Troisi corners _ gave the Socceroos all three points in a crucial World Cup qualifier.

Its the first win in six months for Ange Postecoglou's men, who now remain unbeaten in this qualifying group with three wins and four draws from seven matches.

It puts them level, at least for the time being, with Japan and Saudi Arabia, all three teams now having 13 points although Japan are expected to beat Thailand in their fixture tonight and the Saudis to see off Iraq tomorrow morning. If both win they will move to 16 points.

Still, the win keeps Australia in the hunt and the Socceroos remain masters of their own destiny with two of their final three games _ against Saudi Arabia and Thailand _ at home.

"'We felt quite comfortable....we knew if we were patient.....I think they ran out of legs, we stuck at it, and knew we would get our opportunities at the end," said captain Mile Jedinak post match.

A Socceroo debut for Mustafa Amini, the diminutive midfielder who now plays in Denmark, as he comes on to replace captain Mile Jedinak in the dying minutes of this game.

Mark Milligan has picked up a yellow card, so will be suspended for the next match against Saudi Arabia in June.

Japan has taken an early lead against Thailand, Kagawa scoring in the 8th minute. Should be a routine win for the Blue Samurai in that one.

Another James Troisi  corner, another goal for the Socceroos.

 Mat Leckie heads home from a set piece by the Victory midfielder and you can hear the sighs of relief all over the country as Australia keeps its World Cup run on course with a second goal.

Troisi has had a good game in his first appearance for a long time, his delivery from corners being a key to Australia's two goals.

Job not yet done, but hard to see UAE coming back from this now.

Australia 2-0 UAE. Japan and Thailand just kicked off, scoreless after two minutes.

Twenty odd minutes to go and the Socceroos goalscoring talisman Timmy Cahill gets into the game.

Australia needs a second goal, and James Troisi, so good this season for Melbourne Victory, has just spurned a straightforward chance to put the game to bed by blasting over the bar.

Not quite squeaky bum time yet, but if its still 1-0 with five to go there will be plenty of nails bitten and eyes covered in the stadium and around the country

Will his goal be the one that counts when the whistle blows? Tension mounting at Allianz Stadium as the UAE, sensing their World Cup dream could be over, increase the pressure...

Socceroos looking lively at the start of the second half, but had a warning when the UAE had the ball in the net only for it to be disallowed. Worrying that the only way Australia seem to score these days is from set pieces _ penalties, free kicks or corners.

Still Australia 1-0 UAE as Ahmed Khalil is replaced by Khamis Esmaeel.

​Ten minutes into the second half and the UAE get their first corner.

Australia needs to keep on top of UAE's key player, Omar Abdulrahman, whose skill, vision and ability to find space can create something out of nothing for his team. 

At the other end Ange Postecoglou will want to see Tomi Juric get more involved at the point of the attack. Brad Smith is creating problems with his overlapping runs down the left, and Jackson Irvine and Mathew Leckie are an aerial threat if the crosses are on target.

We will surely see Tim Cahill at some point in the second period as the Socceroos look for the second goal which could kill off their Middle Eastern opponents.

Japan will be odds on favourites when they host Thailand in a game that kicks off at 9.35pm AEST. Saudi Arabia entertain Iraq at 4.30am AEST. 

If Australia can take three points here they will put the pressure on the two teams ahead of them.

That's half time now and Australia still in the driving seat through Jackson Irvine's sixth minute header from a James Troisi corner. A great start, but the Socceroos haven't been able to create much since,  aside from the odd threat from a set piece.

UAE have got back into the game and have played some nice football but without the necessary penetration. Australia are in a good spot, but it might have been better. Game still in the balance.

Midway through the first half, and Australia still lead 1-0 from Irvine's header from a James Troisi corner. Socceroos not creating much from open play, while the UAE are growing in confidence as they regroup following the early setback.

Decent spell for UAE as they look for a leveller. Omar Abdulrahman's excellent free kick drew a fine save from Ryan, and then the goalkeeper had to be out smartly to sweep up a through ball from the UAE's main creative figure. Australia needs to maintain concentration while the men from the Middle East regain their composure.

Goal for Australia.

Jackson Irvine makes the early breakthrough the Socceroos needed, heading home from a corner to put Australia 1-0 up. Great start and should lift the atmosphere dramatically. The UAE will have to come out and play now to chase this game

We're off in Sydney. At least the pitch looks a bit better than the ploughed field in Tehran last week. 

Couple of early warnings for Australia there as Mat Ryan had to be out smartly to save as UAe worked an opening.

Crowd of around 25,000 at the Sydney Football Stadium. Should we have expected more on such a crucial night?

Players just walked out on to the pitch for the anthems and preliminaries. Kick off in next ten minutes...